As childhood obesity rates continue to skyrocket in the United States, it has become increasingly apparent that American children must be taught healthier eating habits. The earlier these lessons are taught, the better. According to Parenthood.com, studies have shown that a child's eating preferences are firmly established by the age of 3. Parents should therefore establish healthy eating patterns as soon as baby takes her first bite of solid food.
Step 1
Offer your baby a variety of healthy foods. Not only does this practice introduce your baby to a diversity of tastes, he'll be consuming a wide range of vitamins and minerals. Don't worry if your baby firmly rejects a particular kind of food. Babyzone.com notes that a baby's tastes change daily and that a food that he spits out on one day, he may accept the next.
Step 2
Talk about healthy foods in a positive manner. Babies easily pick up on cues in their environment. If you refer to vegetables and other healthy foods as delicious or emphasize how important the food is for growing big and strong, your baby may be more likely to eat the food without fuss. Conversely, Parenthood.com points out that if you speak negatively about healthy foods in the baby's presence, or make eating them seem to be a chore, your baby may have a difficult time accepting them.
Step 3
Set a good example. If your baby often sees you eating junk food, or you leave unhealthy snacks around your home, chances are high that your baby will also eventually eat unhealthy foods. Reader's Digest recommends getting in the habit of having healthy snack foods, such as fruits, vegetables, low-fat crackers, and yogurt, in the house.
Step 4
Urge your baby to drink water. Parenthood.com advises encouraging babies over six month old to drink 2 to 4 ounces of water with every meal, as water helps flush toxins from the body and aids digestion. You should definitely offer water in lieu of juice, which tends to be high in sugar.
Step 5
Eat together as a family. Making mealtime a family event holds numerous advantages. Not only do children who dine with their parents tend to eat healthier foods, according to Reader's Digest, they do better in school and are less likely to drink, do drugs or get into fights. While babies don't have these issues to worry about just yet, it is still a good idea to nail down the habit of eating as a family while the kids are still tots.
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